Union Minister for Railways Pawan Kumar Bansal today added the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in the countryâ€™s railway map as he announced the laying of the first track from Harmoti in Assam to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh.

The distance between Harmoti and Naharlagun is 23 km. The track is likely to be commissioned within the next fiscal year.

The addition of Arunachal Pradesh to the rail network is of immense importance given its remoteness and also due to its proximity to China. The introduction of railways in the state is likely to boost Indiaâ€™s defence preparedness in the India-China border.

Bansal also announced that the expansion work of the Indian Railways will go on â€œin full swingâ€ in Manipur during the 2013-14 period. The state capital of Imphal is already connected with the rail network.

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Atleast, there is something to cheer about in the railway budget this year.